How did you first find out about bariatric surgery and what were your initial impressions of it?

I had friends who were having it done. I thought they looked fabulous but was scared of taking such drastic action. I initially wanted to have the gastric band, but after talking with my surgeon, soon changed my mind and decided on the gastric bypass.

Describe your experience with getting insurance approval for surgery. What advice, if any, do you have for other people in this stage?

I had no trouble getting insurance approval for this surgery. My husband is on active duty with the United States Air Force and our insurance company is Tricare Prime. So long as you meet their requirements, they generally approve you quickly.

What was your first visit with your surgeon like? How can people get the most out of this meeting?

My first visit with my surgeon was very informative. He took the time to sit down with me and discuss all areas of weight loss surgery. He showed me the tools that are used, diagrams, various gastric bands and took the time to answer all my questions. He then sent me on my way to think about all the things he had talked about and come to my own decision. He was not pushy in any way but very friendly and informative, giving me a history of his experience and number of surgeries he has performed. I would advise people to write a list of questions before seeing their surgeon and to not feel that any question is 'silly.'

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had a very good friend that had her surgery 7 weeks before me with the same surgeon. She was my 'case study.' I wanted to see how she did and get feedback from her first.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon explained all surgeries to me in depth and I went with his recommendation. I also took into account the ability to cheat. I knew that if I could cheat I would as I have no willpower, so went with the bypass over the lapband.

What fears did you have about having complications or even dying from from the surgery, and what would you tell other people having the same fears now?

I was very fearful of complications and dying during surgery. I have two young children and just kept thinking "I am CHOOSING to do this - what am I thinking?!!" I discussed my fears with my surgeon and his staff and they both reasured me that I am in otherwise very good health and the possibility of anything going wrong was minimal. My surgeon also assured me that in the 2500 plus surgeries of this type he has performed, he has never lost a patient on the table. If you have these fears, discuss them with your medical team. Don't be afraid of feeling stupid. It's their job to put your mind at ease and reasure you and also, you are not having any other fears that every other patient doesn't have.

How did your family and friends react to your decision? Would you have communicated anything differently if you could now? How supportive were they after your surgery?

Most friends were very supportive. One was adamantly against the decision. I listened to both sides and took their points into consideration. My husband was not happy about the bypass, wanting me instead to go with the less invasive lapband but once he spoke to a secretary at his office who had had the bypass, he was more reasurred and came on board. I did not tell my mother or siblings as I knew they would try and talk me out of it. After the surgery my friends have been very supportive. My husband is pretty nonchalant about the whole thing - preferring not to get involved. The rest of my family live overseas so they are concerned about my recovery moreso than being supportive.

How did your employer/supervisor react to your decision? What did you tell him/her? How long were you out of work?

I am not employed.

What was your stay in the hospital like? How long where you there? What things are most important to bring?

My stay in hospital was not a restful one! They are in and out all day and night checking vitals, taking blood, changing IVs etc. There is no sleep to be had!! I was in the hospital for 2 nights and had to have someone stay with me in the room. My friend was a Godsend - reaching things for me, contacting the nurses, helping me in and out of the bed, walking with me etc. I would say the most important thing and only thing to bring is lip balm. Everything else you need is supplied by the hospital and you are in no state or mood to read or anything like that! Your lips do get extremely dry though, so my lip balm was essential.

Did you have any complications from the surgery? If so, how did you deal with them?

My blood ox levels kept dropping so I had to make sure I wore the oxygen mask. Other than that, apart from being EXTREMELY sore, everything was fine.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

I had a friend that had the surgery 6 weeks before me so I monitored her very closely and listened to her advice. I was very anxious but she put my mind at ease.

Describe your first few weeks home from the hospital. What should people expect from this period?

The first 10 days or so I honestly felt like I was dying. I was in so much pain. I had a friend staying with me who was my personal nurse and she was fabulous. Things like getting in and out of bed or getting on the toilet are very painful and need to be accomplished very slowly. She also brought me my jello and told me when to eat as you are not hungry and otherwise would not bother to eat.

How far did you travel to have your surgery? (If far, how did this affect your aftercare?)

I only had to travel about 25 miles for my surgery and continue to do so for my aftercare. It only takes about 40 minutes and is not an inconvenience at all.

Please describe in detail what things you could and couldn't eat in the weeks and months following surgery. What foods have been off limits? Please explain how your dietary tolerance changed week-by-week, and then month-by-month since surgery.

Inially I was extremely lucky and was able to tolorate everything. I followed the diet phases strictly and didn't have any intolerance to anything. However, at about 6 weeks post-op once on a regular diet, I developed a stricture and was unable to eat practically anything as it would all get stuck and I would have to vomit to dislodge the blockage. I am currently waiting for an appointment for a dialation whereby a tube will be inserted down my throat and the stricture dialated with a balloon.

What was your actvity level in the days and weeks after surgery?

My activity level in the weeks after surgery was minimal. I was in a lot of pain and took things very slowly.

What vitamins and/or dietary supplements have you taken since your surgery?

I take Nexium,Potassium and two Flintstones vitamins a day as prescribed my Dr.

What side effects (nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbace, dumping, hair loss etc.) were worse for you? For how long after surgery did they persist? How did you cope with them?

I am only 7 weeks post-op so I haven't experienced many side effects yet. I am very worried about the hair loss which I have been told is inevitable at around 3-4 months. I didn't experience any vomiting until I developed the stricture causing all my food to become stuck. I felt the best postition for me to be in in the weeks after surgery was lying down. After a little while sitting in a chair I became uncomfortable. Lots of pillows in the bed helped.

What was the worst part about the entire bariatric surgery process?

The pain afterwards and not being able to get in and out of bed or move around without help.

What aftercare support group/program do you have? How helpful/important is this?

There is a monthly support group meeting held at the hospital where I had the surgery. This is put on by the bariatric center and the surgeon and the nurses and nutritionalists attend which is very helpful.

What is your scar like? Is this what you expected?

My scar is very straight and still very red. I am very conscious of it and am anxious for it to turn white!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am only 7 weeks post op so haven't really had a serious plateau. I was concerned on the third week post op when I didn't lose even one ounce. That was a bit disheartening but things picked up after that!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, I think it's too early yet.